News Archive
Wednesday, July 6 2005
News
ISU, Des Moines to host '08 women's tourney
Iowa State has been chosen as one of eight schools to play host to first- and second-round games of the 2008 NCAA Women's Basketball Championship. The event, featuring eight teams, will take place at the Iowa Events Center's Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.
Biodiesel pilot plant set to begin production
Later, the month, a cutting-edge biodiesel pilot plant should be up and producing as much as 60 gallons of biodiesel per hour. The new plant will be able to produce biodiesel not only from soy oil, but from such inputs as corn oil and grease from food processors.
Nelson to lead Study Abroad Center
He studied abroad in his college days. And now Trevor Nelson is working to see that Iowa State students have the same opportunity. Nelson, a native of the United Kingdom who studied in the United States, is the new director of Iowa State's Study Abroad Center.
Agriculture dean Woteki resigns
Catherine Woteki, dean of the College of Agriculture since January 2002, announced July 5 she will resign to take a position with a national food company. Her resignation is effective July 31.
Team test solar car
Iowa State's solar car made a quick test run to southeast Iowa recently. The student solar car team will soon race their car from Texas to Canada.
ISU scientists win R&D 100 Award
Brian Gleeson and Daniel Sordelet of Iowa State University and the U.S. Department of Energy's Ames Laboratory have won an R&D 100 Award for a coating that helps turbine blades hold up to the heat of jet engines.
Lowry
Political scientist: Day's resignation 'major'
"Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's resignation is a major development for several reasons," says political science professor Robert Lowry. "Not only is this the first resignation by a Supreme Court justice in over a decade, but she is generally perceived to have been the swing vote on 5-4 decisions more often than any other justice in recent years. Replacing her with someone whose views are only slightly different could easily result in a different outcome in close decisions. In contrast, replacing a justice like William Rehnquist or John Paul Stevens with someone whose views are similar, but not identical, would have only a minor effect on the overall balance of the Court."
Roth appointed to national biosecurity board
ISU veterinary medicine professor James Roth has been appointed to the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity. U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Mike Leavitt appointed Roth to the 24-member that will advise the federal government on ways to promote biosecurity in life science research.
Iowa Public Radio names executive director finalists
Two veterans of public broadcasting have been named finalists for the position of executive director of the newly created Iowa Public Radio. They are Cindy Browne, a Minnesota-based public broadcasting consultant, and John Stark, general manager of KNAU-FM, the public radio station at Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff.
Babcock discusses livestock insurance with Senate committee
Bruce Babcock, economics professor and director of the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development, discussed federal livestock insurance programs in June 28 testimony before a Senate committee.
South Korean company commits to research park
Soyzen, a South Korean company that has developed processing technologies to maximize the nutrition of soybean products, will open an office in the ISU Research Park.
Scientists showcase ag biotech research in D.C.
ISU researchers were among 32 teams invited to showcase leading-edge science and technology research to congressional representatives and staff in Washington, D.C. Associate professor of agronomy Kan Wang and research associate Jennifer McMurray demonstrated plant genetic transformation and its applications June 21. The event was sponsored by the Coalition for National Science Funding.
Scientists study ultrasound for brain tumors
An Iowa State research team will study the feasibility of using high-intensity focused ultrasound as a noninvasive way to treat brain tumors.
ISU experts can comment on mad cow disease
Iowa State University experts can provide perspective on the latest developments in mad cow disease, also known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).
Engineers to protect Madison County bridges
Iowa State engineers are developing round-the-clock monitoring technology to help protect the bridges of Madison County.
Sanderson nominated for ESPY
Assistant wrestling coach and 2004 Olympic gold medalist Cael Sanderson is nominated for the ESPY Awards "Best Male Olympic Performance."
Implosion July 19
The implosion of Knapp and Storms residence halls is scheduled for July 19 at approximately 10 a.m. The date is subject to change by the contractor.
New college
With a ceremonial ribbon-tying, the new College of Human Sciences became part of Iowa State University July 1.
In the news
Wall Street delves into minds of investors
Chicago Tribune
Tahira Hira, ISU professor and assistant to the president, cites her national research that shows different approaches to investing among men and women. She wants investors to better understand themselves so they can make more informed decisions.
Amber waves of plastic
The Los Angeles Times
American crops could be used in place of many products' petroleum base, some scientists say. "Anything you can make out of petroleum, I can make out of corn and soybeans," says Larry Johnson, director of ISU's Center for Crops Utilization Research.
American Ranchers reliving 2003 worries
The Washington Post
The second confirmed case of mad cow disease in the U.S. doesn't seem to be significantly affecting the beef market, says John Lawrence, ISU livestock economist and director of the Iowa Beef Center.
Scientists: Mad cow in U.S. very rare
CNN.com
Nolan Hartwig, ISU veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine professor, says some 388,000 U.S. cattle have been screened for mad cow disease, so the results suggest the disease is rare in American herds.